Shuttle Heading for Home on Sunday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Endeavour's astronauts aim to depart the International Space Station Friday night, leaving behind the last major addition to the US section of the outpost and a windowed perch with unparalleled views of planet Earth.

With rookie shuttle pilot Terry Virts at the controls, Endeavour will push off from the U.S. Harmony module around 7:54 p.m. ET.

Virts then will fly a looping victory lap-and-a-half around the station, winding up the successful delivery of the U.S. Tranquility module and the cupola observation deck.

"It's an amazing milestone, and this is just an absolutely incredible facility," station commander Jeffrey Williams said.

The departure will cap a 10-day stay that included three spacewalks to outfit the Tranquility module. It houses station life support systems, exercise equipment and a bathroom.

The last major US wing of the station also sports the Earth-facing cupola observation deck.

"The view is amazing," Virts said. "It took my breath away."

Equipped with seven windows that afford a 360-degree view, the Italian alcove will be a control center for station robot arm operations and a place to monitor the comings and goings of visiting vehicles.

Endeavour and its six astronauts plan one last extensive inspection of the shuttle's vulnerable wing panels and nose cap.